The workers from Khatton Abad Copper Mines, were seized after taking part in a peaceful demonstration demanding the reinstatement of 170 contract workers who had been promised permanent positions.

There has reportedly been no news on the detainees since their arrest a week ago.

Khatoon Abad Copper Mines, owned by the National Iranian Copper Industries Company, is part of a major industrial complex controlled by the State. In a letter to President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, IndustriALL’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina, said:

“IndustriALL Global Union urges your administration to help secure the prompt and unconditional release of the 28 workers. Furthermore, we call on you to instruct the National Iranian Industries Company, which owns the Khatoon Abad Copper Mines, to reinstate the 170 contract workers, who were recently dismissed.”

Many Khatoon Abad workers have been on temporary contracts for several years and their efforts to achieve better job security and wages have led to minimal results.

“It is also imperative that the National Iranian Industries Company grant the contract workers their promised permanent positions. Workers should not be subject to precarious working conditions. Therefore, we call on the Government of Iran to enforce fundamental labour rights at the company,” added Raina to the leader of the Republic of Iran.

Workers in Iran are particularly vulnerable to attack as trade unions are outlawed in the country.